Air Conditioner and Pool Heater Dual System

ABSTRACT

An air conditioner and pool heater dual system, functioning as a combination air conditioner and water heater having a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger, a gas compressor, and at least one evaporator coil. The dual system is capable of heating a pool and refrigerating a house simultaneously using only one compressor.

The present invention relates to conventional heat transfer systems,such as air conditioning systems, and more particularly to an apparatusand method for converting a conventional air conditioning system into adual system capable of cooling air and heating water, such as water froma swimming pool. Even more particularly, the present invention isreferred to an air conditioner and pool heater dual system. The presentinvention is a continuation of U.S. provisional application No.61/298,711.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air conditioning is the process through which indoor air is cooled orheated and dehumidified for thermal comfort. In a broader sense, theterm can refer to any form of cooling, heating, ventilation thatmodifies the condition of air. In particular, an air conditioner is anelectro-mechanical device designed to stabilize the air temperature andhumidity within an area (which includes cooling and/or heating dependingon the air properties at a given time), typically using a refrigerationcycle.

On Jan. 2, 1906 Willis H. Carrier invented the first apparatus forcooling air. This was the first of several patents awarded to therecognized ‘father of air conditioning’ who created the firstresidential air conditioner for private home use in 1928. However, theconcept of cooling air for human comfort started well before Mr.Carrier. In the Ancient Rome, aqueduct water was circulated through thewalls of certain houses to cool them during summer. Also, in medievalPersia, the use of cisterns and wind towers to cool buildings during thehot season were well known also.

Mechanical air conditioning and refrigeration systems, for absorbingheat from one source and rejecting heat to another source, are wellknown in the art. In a conventional mechanical air conditioning system,a pair of heat exchangers is fluidly connected in a refrigerationcircuit through which a heat transfer medium (hereinafter “refrigerant”)flows. In a typical system, an evaporator coil is in heat transfercommunication with interior space, and a condenser coil is in heattransfer communication with a suitable heat sink, such as ambient airfrom the atmosphere.

Mechanical air conditioning systems are well known in the art. Suchsystems may be either “packaged,” wherein all the necessary componentsare packaged in a single unit, or “split systems,” wherein typically theevaporator is remotely located with respect to the compressor andcondenser.

There are also several systems for using the heat created during therefrigeration process. One of them is a heat transfer system includingmechanical and electrical components for use with a mechanical airconditioning system to enable the system to efficiently reject heat to awater source, such as a pool or spa while simultaneously cooling aninterior space. The air conditioning system incorporates three primaryheat transfer coils in a mechanical refrigeration cycle to providecomfort cooling to an interior space while rejecting heat to either theatmosphere or a water source, such as a swimming pool. In an alternateheat pump embodiment, the system is capable of operating in anadditional mode to absorb heat from the atmosphere and reject heat tothe interior space.

Another known system is a heat transfer system for use in cooling anddehumidifying an interior space while rejecting heat to severalalternative sources. The system incorporates three primary heat transfercoils in a mechanical refrigeration cycle to provide comfort cooling toan interior space while rejecting heat to one of two primary condensingmediums. In addition the heat transfer system of the present inventionfunctions by transferring heat from the atmosphere to a pool, therebyfunctioning as a pool heater. In a first operating mode heat transferredfrom an interior space to the ambient atmosphere. In a second operatingmode heat is transferred from an interior space to pool water. In athird operating mode heat is transferred from the ambient atmosphere topool water. A refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger is disclosed having agas trap for isolating corrosive gases from the metallic heat exchangercomponents, and further including a sacrificial zinc anode for corrosionprotection. A novel control system is disclosed using first and seconddesired pool water temperature set-points for maximizing systemefficiency.

Another known alternative is a system for automatically regulating bothtemperature and humidity within an enclosure for a swimming pool or thelike where the atmosphere and the pool water are to be maintained at aselected temperature differential, including a pool water re-circulatingsystem having a remote source for the introduction of makeup water, anair re-circulating system and a refrigerant re-circulating systemincluding an evaporator disposed within the air re-circulating system,and the pool water re-circulating system including a heat exchange coildisposed within the air re-circulating system downstream from theevaporator and a valve assembly for selectively directing there-circulated water to the coil including a bypass conduit for bypassingsame, electrical resistance heaters in thermal exchange relation withthe air in the air re-circulating system downstream from the coil and athermostat for controlling and sensing the temperature and humidity ofthe atmosphere within the enclosure.

Furthermore, known is a refrigeration system is disclosed, whichutilizes the rejected heat from the condenser of an air conditioner toheat a second medium such as water for a swimming pool. A control isprovided to maintain the temperature of the pool within a given rangewithout degrading the performance of the air conditioning system andactually improving its economy and efficiency of operation. A heatexchanger, to place the second medium in heat exchange relationship withthe refrigerant, is placed between the condenser unit and the expansionvalve of the refrigeration system. The temperature of the refrigerantentering the heat exchanger is controlled by the on and off cycling of afan to selectively move air across the coils of the condenser responsiveto the temperature of the second medium.

Another known alternative is a heat transfer system including mechanicaland electrical components for use with a mechanical air conditioningsystem to enable the system to efficiently reject heat to a watersource, such as a pool or spa while simultaneously cooling an interiorspace. The air conditioning system incorporates three primary heattransfer coils in a mechanical refrigeration cycle to provide comfortcooling to an interior space while rejecting heat to either theatmosphere or a water source, such as a swimming pool. In an alternateheat pump embodiment, the system is capable of operating in anadditional mode to absorb heat from the atmosphere and reject heat tothe interior space.

Even though the above cited heating systems address some of the needs ofthe market, a reliable and economical means for creating a dual systemuseful for heating the water of a pool and at the same timerefrigerating the air of a house is still desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to an air conditioner and pool heaterbasically comprising a heat exchanger including a refrigerant-to-waterheat exchanger, a gas compressor, and at least one evaporator coil.

In one general aspect of the present invention, the dual system iscapable of heating the pool water and refrigerating a house at the sametime using only one compressor.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to create adual system capable of alternatively heating the water of a swimmingpool and refrigerating the air of a house. Thus, the system may heat thewater of a swimming pool and deactivating the refrigeration function, orrefrigerating the air of a house and deactivating the heating function,or working both systems at the same time.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a dual system forheating the water of a pool and refrigerating the air of a house byusing four one-way 24 V solenoid valves with which is possible to createdifferent configurations for using one or both systems using only onecompressor.

However, another aspect of the purposed invention comprises a dualheater-air conditioner system with which the flow of Freon is controlledunder a new specific pattern capable of using the heat normally createdduring the refrigeration process for heating the water of a swimmingpool.

In summary, the present invention is related to an air conditioner andpool heater dual system, functioning as a combination air conditionerand water heater, which system comprises a refrigeration systemincluding the following components: means for compressing therefrigerant gas; a refrigerant-to-water heat transfer device incommunication with at least one heat exchange coil and said compressingmeans; a set of four valves enables said system to function in any oneof three operating modes, wherein in the first mode of operation thesystem only refrigerates the air of a house, in the second mode ofoperation the system only heats the water of a swimming pool and in athird mode of operation the system uses two coils to create bothfunctions at the same time; said refrigerant-to-water heat exchangerhaving an outer water conduit and an inner refrigerant conduit coaxiallydisposed therein, said outer and inner conduits forming a helical coilshape.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawingsand the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter to bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings provided toillustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designationsdenote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first alternative of the dualheat transfer system operating in a mode wherein water from a swimmingpool is being heated and air from a house is being cooled at the sametime.

FIG. 2 is another schematic view of a second embodiment of the dualsystem in accordance with the present invention, in which only one heatexchange coil is used; finally:

FIGS. 3A-3B are other schematic views of a third and fourth embodimentof the dual system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Shown throughout the Figures, a first embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrated in FIG. 1, is directed to a dual airconditioner-heater system, generally referenced as 10, including arefrigerant compressor 11 having an output in fluid communication viarefrigerant tubing 12 to a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 13 and aninput 14 in fluid communication with the air handler (not illustrated)that forms part of the air conditioning equipment located within a houseto be refrigerated. Said compressor 20 may be a compressor of anysuitable type such as reciprocating, rotary, scroll, screw, etc., and ispowered by any conventional power source.

The refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 13 comprises a helically woundwater conduit 15, the water conduit having an input 15 a and an output15 b, having a helically wound refrigerant conduit 16 axially disposedtherein that is a continuation of the above mentioned refrigerant tubing12. The water conduit 15 is in fluid communication with a pool's water 8via a pool water circulating circuit including a pool pump 9 and waterconduit's input 15 a and output 15 b.

The refrigerant conduit 16 is in fluid communication with a one-waycheck valve 17 and a heat transfer coil 18. In the preferred embodimentheat transfer coil 18 comprises of a fin and tube heat exchanger,wherein the refrigerant flows through tubes 19 and includes a fan 20 forforcing ambient air across the heat transfer coil 18. The heat transfercoil 18 is in fluid communication with a refrigerant check valve 21 andthe air handler (not illustrated) via a refrigerant tubing 22.

The refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 13 is also in fluidcommunication with a second heat transfer coil 30 via a refrigerantconduit 31. Two valves are installed between said heat exchanger 13 andthe second coil 30: a one way valve 32 and an expansion valve 33. Inturn said heat transfer coil 30 is in fluid communication with a secondone way valve 36 via a refrigerant conduit 35 which is in fluidcommunication with the refrigerant compressor 11. As in the previouscase, the heat transfer coil 30 also includes a fan 37 for forcingambient air across coil 30.

The first embodiment of the present invention comprises three differentoperating modes: only refrigerating air, only heating the water from theswimming pool of doing both things at the same time. Let's explain thethree modes in detail.

First Operating Mode: Refrigerating Mode

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the first operating mode wherein thesystem is working as a regular air conditioning system. In this caseheat is transferred from an interior space to the ambient atmosphere. InFIG. 1, valves 32 and 36 are closed, while valve 17 is open. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, compressed refrigerant gas exits compressor 11 ina superheated state, where after the gas passes via tubing 12 throughthe refrigerant-to-water heat exchange device 13. Since the pump 9 isturned off, water is not circulating through water conduit 15, and thesuperheated refrigerant gas passes through conduit 16 towards valve 17and heat transfer coil 18. The expansion process the refrigerant gasexperiences while entering to the coil 18 creates an importanttemperature drop of said gas. The warm air from the house to berefrigerated is removed and cycled back in as cooler air. This cyclecontinues until the thermostat reaches the desired temperature. Thesystem uses the evaporation of the refrigerant gas (like Freon) toprovide cooling. The compressor 11 compresses cool Freon gas, causing itto become hot, high-pressure Freon gas. This hot gas runs through thecoil 18 so it can dissipate its heat, and it condenses into a liquid.The Freon liquid runs through an expansion valve, and in the process itevaporates to become cold, low-pressure Freon gas. This cold gas runsthrough the coil that allows the gas to absorb heat and cool down theair inside the building. The refrigerant gas runs to the air handlerthat is the equipment usually installed inside the building where theheat exchange between the cool air generated by the expansion process ofthe Freon will be injected into the building and the warm air from thebuilding will be extracted. This refrigerant receives and releases heatas it raises and lowers in temperature, changing from liquid to gas backto liquid. The refrigerant is especially cold when it begins tocirculate through the indoor coil. As the air handler pushes warm airacross the coil, the refrigerant absorbs so much heat from the air thatit turns into vapor.

As a vapor, it travels to a compressor 11 that pressurizes it and movesit through the outdoor coil 18, which jettisons the heat. A fan 20 alsohelps to dissipate the heat. The refrigerant then passes through anexpansion device that converts it to a low-pressure, low-temperatureliquid, which returns to the indoor coil. And so the cycle goes.

Second Operating Mode: Water Heater Mode

In this operating mode valves 17 and 21 are closed, the water pump 9 isturned on and pool water 8 is circulating through conduits 15. Therefrigerant gas exits the compressor 11 superheated and circulates viaconduit 16 through the refrigerant-to-water heat transfer device 13.This conduit 16 is made of cooper or any other appropriate metallicmaterial that facilitates the heat transfer from the heated gas to thecool pool water that runs through conduit 15. During this heat exchangeprocess, the pool water is heated and the refrigerant gas is cooled off.Pool water returns to the pool via conduit 15 b and the refrigerant gasruns via conduits 16 and 31 through valves 32 and 33 and through theheat transfer coil 30. The refrigerant gas exist the heat transfer coil30 and returns to the compressor 11.

Third Operating Mode: Dual Process-Air Conditioner and Water Heater Mode

Continuing with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in this operatingmode the following valves are open: 17, 21. Valves 32 and 36 are closed.Refrigerant gas is circulating through the main circuit, through valve17 to the transfer heat coil 18. Pump 9 circulates the pool water 8through conduits 15 exchanging heat as previously explained above withthe conduit 16 and air is being refrigerated and being sent to the airhandler by the expansion action of the refrigerant gas through the heatexchange coil 18.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the present inventiongenerally referenced as 100, including a refrigerant compressor 110having an output in fluid communication via refrigerant tubing 112 to arefrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 113.

The refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 113 comprises a helically woundwater conduit 115, the water conduit having an input 115 a and an output115 b, having a helically wound refrigerant conduit 116 axially disposedtherein that is a continuation of the above mentioned refrigerant tubing112. The water conduit 115 is in fluid communication with a pool's water108 via a pool water circulating circuit including a pool pump 109 andthe water conduit input 115 a and output 115 b.

Refrigerant conduit 116 splits in two conduits 125-130. The firstconduit 125 includes a one-way check valve 117 and is in fluidcommunication with a heat transfer coil 118. The second conduit includesa one-way valve 131, and it is in fluid communication with an expansionvalve 132 and the heat transfer coil 118. In the preferred embodimentheat transfer coil 118 comprises a tube heat exchanger, wherein therefrigerant flows through tubes 119, and includes a fan 120 for forcingambient air across the heat transfer coil 118. From the heat transfercoil 118 two refrigerant conduits 122-140 are in fluid communicationwith a refrigerant check valve 121 and the air handler (notillustrated). From the air handler refrigerant conduit 140A returns therefrigerant to the compressor 110. The second conduit 140 is in fluidcommunication with the compressor 110 through a compressor valve 141.

In this embodiment, the system may perform the same three modes alreadyexplained above by opening and closing the valves. When the system worksjust as an air conditioning system, the pump 109 is turned off, andvalves 117 and 121 are open. The refrigerant gas exits the compressor110 superheated, passes through the heat exchanger 113 to the conduit125 and valve 117 without affecting the temperature of the gas. Then therefrigerant runs through conduit 119 where fan 120 cools it down andfrom there runs to conduit 122 and valve 121 to the air handler (notillustrated). In the air handler, the refrigerant performs the normalfunctioning and returns through conduit 140A to the compressor 110.

In this embodiment, when the systems works as a water heater only,valves 131 and 141 are open, valves 117 and 121 are closed, the pump 109is turned on and pool water circulated through conduit 115. Refrigerantgas exists the compressor 110 superheated and runs through the heatexchanger 113 heating up the pool water. The gas already cooled off runsthrough conduit 130 to the expansion valve 132 where the gas cools offand the pressure gas drops. Then the gas runs through the heat exchangercoil 118 through conduit 119 and from the coil it returns to thecompressor 110 via conduit 140 and valve 141.

When the system works as a dual system, heating pool water andrefrigerating air from a house, valves 131 and 141 are closed, valve 117is open, and the refrigerant runs through conduit 125 to the heatexchanger coil 118. In the coil, the gas runs through conduit 119 andfan 120 cools it down. From the coil 118 the refrigerant runs to conduit122 through valve 121 to the air handler (not illustrated). From the airhandler, the gas returns to the compressor 110 through conduit 140A.

FIG. 3A illustrates a third embodiment of the present inventiongenerally referenced as 200, including a refrigerant compressor 210having an output in fluid communication via refrigerant tubing 212 to arefrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 213.

The refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 213 also comprises a helicallywound water conduit 215, the water conduit having an input 215 a and anoutput 215 b, having a helically wound refrigerant conduit 216 axiallydisposed therein that is a continuation of the above mentionedrefrigerant tubing 212. The water conduit 215 is in fluid communicationwith a pool's water 208 via a pool water circulating circuit including apool pump 209 and the water conduit's input 215 a and output 215 b.

Refrigerant conduit 216 is in fluid communication with a three-way checkvalve 217. From the three-way check valve 217 a first conduit 219 is influid communication with an alternative heat transfer coil 220 and asecond conduit 218 is in fluid communication with heat transfer coil 221through an expansion valve 222.

The alternative heat transfer coil 220 is in fluid communication withthe air handler (not illustrated) through a one-way valve 230. From theair handler a line 232A returns the refrigerant gas to the compressor210. From heat transfer coil 221 the refrigerant gas returns to thecompressor via a conduit 232 and a compressor valve 233.

In this embodiment heat transfer coils 220-221 comprises of a fin andtube heat exchanger, wherein the refrigerant flows through tubes 229,and include fans 250-251 for forcing ambient air across the heattransfer coils 220-221.

In this embodiment, the system may perform the same three modes alreadyexplained above by opening and closing the valves 217-222-233-230. Whenthe system works just as an air conditioning system, the pump 209 isturned off, and valve 222 is closed. The refrigerant gas exits thecompressor 210 superheated, passes through the heat exchanger 213 andthe three-way valve 217 without affecting the temperature of the gas andruns through conduit 219 to coil 220. Then the refrigerant runs into thecoil through conduit 229 to the air handler via valve 230. Fan 251cooperates to cool the refrigerant down. From there it runs to the airhandler (not illustrated) and returns to the compressor via conduit232A.

When the systems works as a water heater only, valve 217 is open andvalves 230 are closed, the pump 209 is turned on and pool watercirculated through conduit 215. Refrigerant gas exists the compressor210 superheated and runs through the heat exchanger 213 heating up thepool water. The gas already cooled off runs through conduit 218 to theexpansion valve where it expands and its pressure drops. From theexpansion valve 222 the refrigerant runs to the heat transfer coil 221through internal conduit 229. Fan 250 cooperates to heat the gas up andfrom there runs through conduit 232, valve 233 and conduit 232A back tothe compressor 210.

When the system works as a dual system, heating pool water andrefrigerating air from a house, valves 217-230 are open, the pump 209 isworking, circulating pool water 208 through conduits 215 a-215 b andacross heat exchanger 213, and the refrigerant runs through conduit 219to coil 220 and from there to the air handler (not illustrated) creatingthe two effects described above.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B a fourth embodiment is shown inwhich only one heat exchange coil 221 is included. In this embodiment,the system may perform the same three modes already explained above byopening and closing the valves 217-231-233. When the system works justas an air conditioning system, the pump 209 is turned off, and valve 217directs the refrigerant to conduit 219 and to the heat exchange coil221. Fan 250 cools the gas down, and it circulates through the internalconduit 229. From heat exchange coil 221 runs through valve 231 to theair handler (not illustrated). The refrigerant returns to the compressor210 through conduit 232A.

When the systems works as a water heater only, valve 217 directsrefrigerant gas to line 218 expanding and lowering the pressure inexpansion valve 222 towards the heat exchange coil 221. Fan 250 heatsthe gas up when it runs through conduit 229 and then runs throughconduit 232 (valve 231 is closed) and returns to the compressor 210 viaconduit 232A.

When the system works as a dual system, heating pool water andrefrigerating air from a house, valves 222-233 are closed, the pump 209is working, circulating pool water 208 through conduits 215 a-215 b andacross heat exchanger 213, and the refrigerant runs through conduit 219to coil 221 and from there to the air handler (not illustrated) creatingthe two effects described above and from the air handler returns to thecompressor via conduit 232A.

All the components may be packaged in a cabinet or other suitablestructure. Significantly, the present invention is suitable for use withany suitable evaporator apparatus and may be installed in retrofitapplications as a replacement for a conventional split system condensingunit. The components of the present invention may be selected to provideany suitable refrigeration capacity.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedabove, it will be recognized and understood that various modificationscan be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

1. An air conditioner and pool heater dual system, functioning as acombination air conditioner and water heater, comprises: a refrigerantcompressor, having an output in fluid communication via a refrigeranttubing to a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger and an input in fluidcommunication with the air handler that forms part of the airconditioning equipment located within a house to be refrigerated; Therefrigerant-to-water heat exchanger comprises a helically wound waterconduit, the water conduit having an input and an output, having ahelically wound refrigerant conduit axially disposed therein that is acontinuation of the above mentioned refrigerant tubing, the waterconduit is in fluid communication with a pool's water via a pool watercirculating circuit including a pool pump and the water conduit's inputand output, a one-way check valve and a heat transfer coil that are influid communication with the refrigerant conduit, the heat transfer coilcomprises of a fin and tube heat exchanger, wherein the refrigerantflows through tubes, and includes a fan for forcing ambient air acrossthe heat transfer coil, and the heat transfer coil is in fluidcommunication with a refrigerant check valve and the air handler via arefrigerant tubing, and a second heat transfer coil that is in fluidcommunication with the refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger via arefrigerant conduit, a one way valve and an expansion valve areinstalled between the heat ex changer and the second coil, the secondcoil is in is in fluid communication with a second one way valve via arefrigerant conduit which is in fluid communication with the refrigerantcompressor, the second coil also includes a fan for forcing ambient airacross the second coil.
 2. An air conditioner and pool heater dualsystem, functioning as a combination air conditioner and water heater,comprises: a refrigerant compressor having an output in fluidcommunication via refrigerant tubing to a refrigerant-to-water heatexchanger; the refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger comprises a helicallywound water conduit, the water conduit having an input and an output,having a helically wound refrigerant conduit axially disposed thereinthat is a continuation of the above mentioned refrigerant tubing, thewater conduit is in fluid communication with a pool's water via a poolwater circulating circuit that includes a pool pump and the waterconduit's input and output, the refrigerant conduit splits in twoconduits, the first conduit includes a one-way check valve and is influid communication with a heat transfer coil, the second conduitincludes a one-way valve, and it is in fluid communication with anexpansion valve and the heat transfer coil.
 3. The air conditioner andpool heater dual system, functioning as a combination air conditionerand water heater of claim 2, wherein the heat transfer coil comprises atube heat exchanger, wherein the refrigerant flows through tubes, andincludes a fan for forcing ambient air across coil and from the heattransfer coil two refrigerant conduits are in fluid communication with arefrigerant check valve and the air handler, and from the air handlerrefrigerant conduit returns the refrigerant to the compressor, thesecond conduit is in fluid communication with the compressor through acompressor valve.
 4. An air conditioner and pool heater dual system,functioning as a combination air conditioner and water heater,comprises: a refrigerant compressor having an output in fluidcommunication via refrigerant tubing to a refrigerant-to-water heatexchanger, the refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger comprises a helicallywound water conduit, the water conduit having an input and an output,having a helically wound refrigerant conduit axially disposed thereinthat is a continuation of the above mentioned refrigerant tubing, thewater conduit is in fluid communication with a pool's water via a poolwater circulating circuit including a pool pump and water conduit'sinput and output, the refrigerant conduit is in fluid communication witha three-way check valve, from the three-way check valve a first conduitis in fluid communication with an alternative heat transfer coil and asecond conduit is in fluid communication with heat transfer coil throughan expansion valve, the alternative heat transfer Coil is in fluidcommunication with the air handler through a one-way valve, and from theair handler a line returns the refrigerant gas to the compressor, andfrom the heat transfer coil, and the refrigerant gas returns to thecompressor via a conduit and a compressor valve.
 5. The air conditionerand pool heater dual system, functioning as a combination airconditioner and water heater of claim 4, wherein the heat transfer coilscomprises of a fin and tube heat exchanger, and wherein the refrigerantflows through tubes and include fans for forcing ambient air across theheat transfer coils.